We'll limit casualties, Britain will tell Iraqis

Britain is preparing to unleash a propaganda offensive on the Iraqi people, promising to "limit civilian casualties" if military force is used to oust Saddam Hussein.

Thousands of leaflets and videos will be dropped in Iraq telling civilians that the British and American military presence in the country is only "temporary".

Downing Street released a document yesterday outlining the message. It aims to turn Iraqis against Saddam and help them understand the war aims. It says Britain is on the side of the Iraqi people and is working to ensure "any military campaign is as swift and carefully targeted as possible". The document makes clear that toppling Saddam Hussein is a fundamental aim. "We will help by enabling Iraqis to establish their own effective representative government and encouraging UN involvement in the process," it says.

The message offers a better future without President Saddam and promises that the allies will reconstruct Iraq and allow the people to share the wealth from its oil reserves.

"Our presence in Iraq if military action is required to secure compliance with UN resolutions will be temporary," the document says. "But our commitment to support the people of Iraq will be for the long term." Iraqis will be told that Britain will "mobilise the international community to provide emergency humanitarian relief".

The Iraqi people deserve to be lifted from tyranny and allowed to determine the future of their country for themselves, it says.